[Recurrent infantile laryngeal papillomas and antuitary insufficiency (author's transl)].

The report at issue discusses the relationship between laryngeal papillomatosis and the endocrine system. It is referred to the clinical course of a 19-years-old patient suffering infantil laryngeal papillomatosis and antuitary insufficiency since childhood. The cause of hormonal insufficiency was the destruction of the hypophysis by a craniopharyngeoma. As a result of this insufficiency the total metabolic process of the patient was reduced to a "vita-minima"-function for years. Despite this metabolic depression the laryngeal papillomas have grown excessively. The number of recurrent papillomas could not even be reduced by exstirpation of the craniopharyngeom although the secundary insufficiency of the adrenal cortex and the secundary hypothyreosis have been compensated by cortisone and thyroxine. A hormonal influence on the laryngeal papillomas by the adrenocorticotrophic hormone and the thyroid hormone could be excluded. An inhibitory effect on the papillomas by the somatotrophic hormone seems unlikely. Furthermore the effect of the sexual hormones remains doubtful. The regression of laryngeal papillomas frequently observed by the end of puberty supports a hormonal influence by gonadotrophic hormone.